Volatile oil variability in Thymus serpylloides ssp. gadorensis growing wild in Southeastern Spain

Volatile oils from single plants of Thymus serpylloides ssp. gadorensis were collected from Southeastern Spain and studied to check for chemical variability using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Many of the samples showed a phenolic chemotype, while another important group had significant levels of linalool. Geraniol, myrcene, caryophyllene oxide, terpinen-4-ol and 1,8-cineole were commonly present. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA) of this chemical variability separated two groups of plants characterized by either phenols or linalool, and an isolated third type with geraniol. A few samples were found to have both phenolic and non-phenolic compounds in high quantities, thus showing a mixed chemotype. Multidimensional scaling analysis (MDS) of the percentage concentration for each component of the essential oil showed that thymol, linalool, 1,8-cineole, borneol and geraniol have clear divergent vectors.     

Chemical and morphological diversity in wild populations of Mentha longifolia in Israel

Populations of Mentha longifolia, an endangered species in Israel, were tested for essential oil composition and conservational ability. In 2002-2003, 25 wild populations country-wide were tested, indicating population divergence into two chemotypes. Chemotype A was characterized by high levels of menthone and pulegone, and chemotype B by high levels of piperitenone oxide and piperitone oxide. Chemotype A was more abundant (22 of 25 populations) than chemotype B (11 of 25 populations). However, a chemotype/population interaction was not recorded (P?>?0.05). In spring 2003, seven of the 25 wild populations were resampled, propagated, and cultivated at the Newe Ya'ar campus. Then, in 2004, the propagated plants were tested for essential oil composition. The propagated plants maintained the essential oil composition as well as the chemotype-frequency distribution of the original wild population from which they were obtained. Since a chemotype/population interaction was not recorded, and the cultivated plants displayed the wild population essential oil composition, it can be concluded that i) the chemotype diversity is genetically based, and ii) the M. longifolia populations sampled can be horticulturally conserved.     

Essential oil polymorphism of Thymus praecox subsp. arcticus on the British Isles

The essential oils of 732 individual plants of Thymus praecox Opiz subsp. arcticus (E. Durand) Jalas (syn. T. drucei Ronn.) collected in Scotland, Ireland, and in the south of England have been analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (GC–MS) in order to elucidate the chemical character of this subspecies on the British Isles. In total, 69 components were identified, most of them monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids with hedycaryol, linalyl acetate, linalool, the germacradienols, trans-nerolidol, T-cadinol, and β-caryophyllene being the most important compounds. The analysis of the quantitative essential oil data by means of neural networks revealed that T. praecox subsp. arcticus growing in Britain is highly polymorphous. There were 17 chemotypes with the hedycaryol chemotype as the most frequent (24% of the plants), followed by the linalool/linalyl acetate chemotype (22% of the plants) and germacra-1(10),4-dien-6-ol chemotype (18% of the plants). It seems that each part of the British Isles has its special chemotype pattern with 13 chemotypes in Scotland, 11 in Ireland, and 17 in the south of England. An overview of the North Atlantic region of Europe revealed that the polymorphism of T. praecox subsp. arcticus in the essential oil is more distinctive in the southern than in the northern regions, with only 2, 5, and 1 chemotypes in Greenland, Iceland, and Norway, respectively.     

Essential oil variability of Thymus hyemalis growing wild in Southeastern Spain

Essential oils obtained by steam-distillation of individual samples of Thymus hyemalis were examined for variability in their volatile components by means of gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The thymol chemotype is widespread and is found in most of the vegetal formations where Thymus hyemalis is predominant and does not interact with other species. The carvacrol chemotype is found in isolated individual plants among those containing thymol. Although the chemotypes are usually mutually exclusive, the two phenols occasionally found with similar quantities in the same plant. The linalool chemotype has not previously been described for Thymus hyemalis. Other nonphenolic compounds (1,8-cineole, borneol, α-pinene) are present in low to medium percentages that reflect localized interactions with other species of thyme (Thymus vulgaris, Thymus baeticus) that sometimes produce hybridized or introgressive, morphologically distinguishable individuals.This chemical variability is analyzed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA), a closely-related phenolic group of samples being revealed separated from less well represented non-phenolic chemotypes or mixed chemotypes. Multidimensional Scaling Analysis (MDS) based on percentage concentration was used to show the relationships between the most important components of the essential oil, the opposite orientation of vectors that represent phenolic compounds (and their precursors) and linalool, being of note. The data set presents positive correlation between camphor and altitude.     

An adaptive evolutionary shift in Fusarium head blight pathogen populations is driving the rapid spread of more toxigenic Fusarium graminearum in North America.

Analysis of Fusarium head blight (FHB) pathogen diversity revealed that 3ADON producing Fusarium graminearum are prevalent in North America and identified significant population structure associated with trichothecene chemotype differences (F(ST)>0.285; P<0.001). In addition, we identified a trichothecene chemotype cline in Canada and documented a recent and significant shift in FHB pathogen composition by demonstrating that the 3ADON chemotype frequency in western Canada increased more than 14-fold between 1998 and 2004. On average, isolates from 3ADON populations produced significantly (P<0.05) more trichothecene and had significantly (P<0.005) higher fecundity and growth rates than isolates from the 15ADON population. These results indicate that selection is driving the rapid spread of an introduced pathogen population that is more toxigenic and potentially more vigorous. The discovery of this previously unrecognized pathogen diversity has significant implications for food safety and cereal production in North America.     

An adaptive evolutionary shift in Fusarium head blight pathogen populations is driving the rapid spread of more toxigenic Fusarium graminearum in North America

Analysis of Fusarium head blight (FHB) pathogen diversity revealed that 3ADON producing Fusarium graminearum are prevalent in North America and identified significant population structure associated with trichothecene chemotype differences (F(ST)>0.285; P<0.001). In addition, we identified a trichothecene chemotype cline in Canada and documented a recent and significant shift in FHB pathogen composition by demonstrating that the 3ADON chemotype frequency in western Canada increased more than 14-fold between 1998 and 2004. On average, isolates from 3ADON populations produced significantly (P<0.05) more trichothecene and had significantly (P<0.005) higher fecundity and growth rates than isolates from the 15ADON population. These results indicate that selection is driving the rapid spread of an introduced pathogen population that is more toxigenic and potentially more vigorous. The discovery of this previously unrecognized pathogen diversity has significant implications for food safety and cereal production in North America.     

Composition and infraspecific variability of essential oil from Thymus herba barona Lois

The composition of the essential oils of individual plants of Thymus herba barona Lois. growing wild in Corsica was investigated by GC, GC/MS an carbon-13 NMR. Eight groups of essential oil were distinguished: (i) thymol, (ii) carvacrol, (iii) linalool, (iv) geraniol, (v) -terpenyl acetate, (vi) terpinen-4-ol, (vii) carvone and cis-dihydrocarvone. Three chemotypes -thymol, carvacrol and linalool – are common in the genus Thymus, two others – geraniol, -terpenyl acetate – are scarce, while the latest three ones – terpinen-4-ol, carvone and cis-dihydrocarvone are quite original. It is the first time that the cis-dihydrocarvone chemotype is described in the genus Thymus     

Chemical and Olfactory Analysis of the Volatile Fraction of Ocimum gratissimum Concrete from Madagascar

The chemical composition of the volatile fraction of Ocimum gratissimum concrete (romba) from Madagascar has been determined for the first time by GC/MS and GC-FID. A methyl cinnamate chemotype has been determined for this material, along with a set of compounds typical in essential oils and extracts from plants of the Ocimum genus. Variability was mostly observed on terpenes and terpenoids components. GC-O-MS was also used for a sensory evaluation of this material performed by a master perfumer. The chemical composition of this O. gratissimum extract was then compared with literature data to assess subtle differences between chemotypes of the same species and other species of the same genus within natural variability. A mapping illustrates the occurrence of the cinnamate chemotype in Eastern Africa, India and now Madagascar, while other origins generally present eugenol, thymol, camphor, or linalool chemotypes.     

Chemical variation in the leaf essential oil of Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T. Blake

An examination of the leaf oils of Melaleuca quinquenervia over its geographical range in Australia and Papua New Guinea has shown wide variation in chemical composition but only two major chemotypes. Chemotype 1 is comprised of E-nerolidol (74–95%) and linalool (14–30%) and is found from Sydney, north along the east coast of Australia to Selection Flat, New South Wales, with an isolated occurrence near Maryborough, Queensland. Two divisions occur in this chemotype which are based on the presence or absence of significant proportions of linalool (14–40%). Chemotype 2 contains 1,8-cineole (10–75%), viridiflorol (13–66%), α-terpineol (0.5–14%) and β-caryophyllene (0.5–28%) in varying proportions and order of dominance in the oils. It is found throughout the distribution of the species, from Sydney to Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia. Within chemotype 2 there appears to be a continuous spread of oil composition without formation of any further discrete divisions as in chemotype 1.Analyses have shown that M. quinquenervia trees that occur at latitudes south of 25°S have high oil yields (1–3% w/w%, fresh leaves) and comprise chemotypes 1 and 2. North of 25°S, however, chemotype 1 does not occur and oil yields amongst the Australian populations are uniformly low (0.1–0.2%).     

Population structure and succession in temperate forests of southwestern Japan

In the temperate forests of southwestern Japan, the population density of woody plants in the community increases in the early stage of secondary succession, reaches a peak in the old oak-chestnut forest, and decreases towards the climax beech forest. The species richness and diversity of woody plants also show a trend similar to that of the population density. The canopy-tree population decreases in the course of the succession while the basal area increases, showing a self-thinning process. The species richness, diversity and population density of herbaceous plants are much influenced by the dominance of the bamboo, Sasa palmata. The life-history traits of trees, lower trees and shrubs are discussed in relation to their shoot system, reproductive pattern and successional processes.     

滇南农家大麻品种中大麻素化学型及基因型研究

以1个滇南农家大麻品种群体为研究对象,通过化学分析及同源克隆方法,研究了21个单株中2种主要大麻素——四氢大麻酚(THC)和大麻二酚(CBD)的化学型和基因型,以揭示大麻素含量、化学型以及基因型三者之间的关系,为工业大麻新品种选育提供理论依据。研究表明:(1)化学检测结果显示,21个单株均含有THC,THC含量在0.07%~1.35%之间,其中7个单株仅含THC,5个单株含THC和微量CBD,9个单株同时含有THC和CBD,CBD含量范围为0~0.58%。(2)CBD/THC比值显示,该群体仅存在毒品型和中间型2种化学型,且中间型大麻中THC和CBD含量显著正相关。(3)基因扩增及测序分析结果显示,该群体为基因型杂合群体,群体内THCA合成酶基因存在5个变异位点,CBDA合成酶基因存在2个变异位点,但变异位点和THC及CBD的含量无直接关系。(4)群体内单株的基因型和化学型完全对应,且THCA合成酶基因及CBDA合成酶基因可作为分子标记来鉴定单株化学型。     

Effects of livestock grazing intensity on soil arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and glomalin-related soil protein in a mountain forest steppe and a desert steppe of Mongolia

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are important components of the grassland ecosystems in terms of plant phosphorus uptake and accumulation of glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP). Though Mongolian grasslands are seriously degraded by livestock grazing, the effects of grazing on soil AMF and GRSP remain unclear. Here, we examined community composition and diversity of AMF as well as amount of GRSP at three different grazing intensities: lightly grazed (LG), moderately grazed (MG), and heavily grazed (HG) under two different types of grassland, mountain forest steppe at Hustai and desert steppe at Mandalgobi. The diversity and biomass of AMF-host and non-AMF plants strongly affected the overall AMF community composition and its diversity. When we separately analyzed the factors affecting soil AMF diversity at Hustai and Mandalgobi, decrease in the shoot biomass of Poaceae plants at Hustai and decreases in the species number and shoot biomass of AMF-host plants at Mandalgobi were significantly correlated with AMF diversity. GRSP decreased with increasing grazing intensity, which was significantly correlated with soil pH and total root biomass at Hustai. The decrease in plant biomass caused by grazing thus led to GRSP reduction. Our results showed that change in soil AMF community caused by livestock grazing were associated with change in the biomass and diversity of functional vegetation groups such as Poaeceae, AMF-host and non-AMF plants, indicating the importance to focus on such functional vegetation groups to evaluate the effect of grazing on AMF.

     

Impact of soil stockpiling on ericoid mycorrhizal colonization and growth of velvetleaf blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides) and Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum)

Soil stockpiling is a common practice prior to the reclamation of surface mines. In this study, velvetleaf blueberry and Labrador tea plants were grown from seed in fresh soil, stockpiled soil (1 year), and autoclaved stockpiled soil (1 year) obtained from the Canadian boreal forest. After 7 months of growth, the root colonization intensity with ericoid mycorrhizal (ERM) fungi in both plants growing in stockpiled soil was lower compared to plants growing in the fresh soil. The diversity of ERM fungal species in roots also decreased due to soil stockpiling and Pezoloma ericae was absent from the plants growing in stockpiled soil. Changes in the ERM root colonization in plants growing in stockpiled soil were accompanied by decreases in root and shoot dry weights. Leaf chlorophyll, nitrogen, and phosphorus concentrations of velvetleaf blueberry were higher in fresh soil compared to 1‐year stockpiled soil. Plants grown in the autoclaved stockpiled soil became colonized by the thermotolerant ERM fungus Leohumicola verrucosa and showed higher root and shoot biomass compared to the nonautoclaved stockpiled soil. The results point to the importance of ERM fungi for growth of ericaceous plants, even under favorable environmental conditions and adequate fertilization, and suggest that reduced ERM colonization intensity and ERM fungal diversity in roots likely contributed to the negative effects of soil stockpiling on growth of velvetleaf blueberry and Labrador tea.     

Genetic diversity and genetic structure in wild populations of Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens H.B.K.) and its relationship with the chemical composition of the essential oil

Mexican oregano is an aromatic plant traditionally harvested from wild populations by rural communities; however, there is little information about population genetics aspects of this species. Moreover, considering that the variation in essential oil production of aromatic plants has been attributed to several environmental as well as genetic factors, in this study we estimated the genetic diversity and genetic structure from 14 wild populations of L. graveolens located in four different bioclimatic regions in southeastern Mexico using AFLP markers. The overall genetic diversity of L. graveolens described as the percentage of polymorphic loci (PPL = 60.9 %) and Nei’s gene diversity (H _j  = 0.17) was moderate, but not associated with the bioclimatic conditions. Genetic variation was analyzed at chemotype and population levels. Regarding chemotypes, thymol had the highest genetic diversity (PPL = 82.8 % and H _j  = 0.22). PCoA revealed that chemotypes exhibit a certain level of genetic differentiation. Maximum parsimony dendrogram showed a grouping of individuals with a predominant chemotype. Bayesian analyses revealed a low, but significant differentiation among chemotypes (θ _ΙΙ = 0.008). Regarding populations, gene diversity showed significant differences (F _13,1204 = 22.8, P < 0.001); populations dominated by individuals from the thymol chemotype showed the highest gene diversity (H _j  = 0.31–0.25), while populations with exclusively sesquiterpene chemotype showed the lowest value (H _j  = 0.058). Cluster and Bayesian analyses (θ _ΙΙ = 0.027) revealed a low level of genetic differentiation among populations. Correlation analysis showed a significant association between the distance matrices based on the genetic markers (AFLP) and chemical compounds of essential oil (r = 0.06, P < 0.001). Our results suggest an important genetic influence on the observed chemical profiles. Nevertheless, other biotic and abiotic environmental pressures also play an important role in determining the chemotype and structure found in this aromatic species.     

Intra-population terpene polymorphism of Thymus pulegioides L.: Evidence for seven chemotypes in a German limestone grassland

For Thymus pulegioides L. (Lamiaceae), occurring in almost entire Europe, about 20 different essential oil chemotypes are described in approximately 25 studies. However, only few studies mention chemotype diversity on population level, describing up to five chemotypes growing together. The aim of the study was to investigate the chemotype diversity within one T. pulegioides population of a limestone grassland in Germany. Essential oil compounds from samples of 93 thyme cushions were extracted with solid phase extraction (SPE) and analysed by GC-MS. Cluster analysis and nonmetric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS) of the samples’ essential oil composition revealed the existence of seven different chemotypes: linalyl acetate-chemotype (56 individuals), geraniol-citral-linalyl acetate-chemotype (5), geraniol-citral-chemotype (7), thymol-chemotype (8), carvacrol-chemotype (2), linalool-chemotype (1), and β-caryophyllene-germacrene D-β-bisabolene-chemotype (14). The pattern of major monoterpenes from all chemotypes could be explained by the inhibition of specific steps in monoterpene biosynthesis. The sesquiterpene-dominant chemotype might be caused by a block in a very early step of monoterpene production or a regulatory/channeling mechanism. While the geraniol-citral-linalyl acetate-chemotype has been found for the first time, the other chemotypes have been found in other regions and the β-caryophyllene-germacrene D-β-bisabolene-type is similar to other sesquiterpene chemotypes rarely found in other areas. The large intra-population chemical polymorphism in this study raises questions about the chemotype diversity of thyme in other regions of Germany and potential correlations between essential oil composition and abiotic factors or biotic interactions.     

植物养分捕获策略随成土年龄的变化及生态学意义

自然成土过程中土壤养分的变化与植被原生演替常同时发生。随成土年龄变化的植物养分捕获策略(NASs)对植物竞争能力和演替过程具有重要影响。该文将植物NASs划分为细根、微生物、特殊根系、食虫和寄生策略等5个类型; 发现植物NASs的多样性随成土年龄的增加呈哑铃型变化模式; 特殊根系策略对植物捕获养分的作用在成土中期最小、后期最大, 细根和微生物策略的作用随成土年龄的增加逐渐降低; 分析了成土过程中NASs对植物种间关系影响的变化, 发现NASs对成土早期植物的促进作用和中期的竞争关系具有重要影响, 而成土后期多样和互补的NASs对植被群落的稳定共存及多样性的形成具有影响; 提出应进一步探究成土过程中土壤养分与植物NASs变化之间的定量关系, 开展更多研究以阐明NASs对植被原生演替、物种多样性形成和成土过程的贡献与机理。     

Ginsenoside content and variation among and within American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) populations

The contents of five ginsenosides (Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rc and Rd) were measured in American ginseng roots collected from 10 populations grown in Maryland. Ginsenoside contents and compositions varied significantly among populations and protopanaxatriol (Rg1 and Re) ginsenosides were inversely correlated within root samples and among populations. The most abundant ginsenoside within a root and by population was either Rg1 or Re, followed by Rb1. Ginseng populations surveyed grouped into two chemotypes based on the relative compositions of Rg1 and Re. Four populations, including the control population in which plants were grown from TN and WI seed sources, contained roots with the recognized chemotype for American ginseng of low Rg1 composition relative to Re. The remaining 6 populations possessed roots with a distinctive chemotype of high relative Rg1 to Re compositions. Chemotype did not vary by production type (wild versus cultivated) and roots within a population rarely exhibited chemotypes different from the overall population chemotype. These results provide support for recent evidence that relative Rg1 to Re ginsenoside contents in American ginseng roots vary by region and that these differences are likely influenced more by genotype than environmental factors. Because the physiological and medicinal effects of different ginsenosides differ and can even be oppositional, our findings indicate the need for fingerprinting ginseng samples for regulation and recommended usage. Also, the High Rg1/Low Re chemotype discovered in MD could potentially be used therapeutically for coronary health based on recent evidence of the positive effects of Rg1 on vascular growth.     

AM真菌物种多样性:生态功能、影响因素及维持机制

AM真菌物种多样性是土壤生态系统生物多样性的重要组分之一。尽管对AM真菌多样性已有多年研究,但是,已有研究绝大多数仅停留在对AM真菌群落种属解析层面上,对AM真菌物种多样性生态功能及维持机制方面的认识较浅。从生态功能、影响因素及维持机制3个方面系统地综述了近年来AM真菌多样性领域的研究进展。认为AM真菌多样性对植物群落生产力的调控机制及结合理论与实践解析AM真菌多样性维持机制是该领域未来的重点研究方向。